Our Salvation

Salvation is God’s gift of Love reaching out to fallen man. Religion is man’s way of reaching out to a Holy God. Biblical Salvation differs from man’s religion in a very basic and fundamental way. Religion denotes the myriad of avenues in which sinful man tries to earn salvation by doing “something.” Salvation, according to the Scriptures is solely based on “faith” in what God has done on our behalf by providing a perfect sacrifice to redeem us from our sin. The shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross is the only means to access God’s forgiveness, and faith is the only way for us to receive God’s free and eternal gift.

Our Sin – This is our problem, plain & simple. We are “born dead in trespasses and sins” because we inherited a sin nature from Adam, our forefather. Our sin is what separates us from a holy God and renders us unqualified to spend an eternity with Him in Heaven.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23


Our Savior – Jesus is our only possible Biblical solution for having our sins forgiven. He is the only acceptable sacrifice and the ONLY avenue available for us to secure a home in Heaven for all eternity. His blood sacrifice is the only way to satisfy God’s demand for perfect holiness & righteousness. Jesus died on the cross in our place because of His infinite love for you & me. The depravity of the human soul renders us incapable of providing any means to save ourselves.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8&9


Our Salvation – Salvation is a free gift from a loving God received only by faith and rooted in His loving grace. Each one of us must receive Christ into our heart as our very own Savior from sin.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9


Our Repentance – We must turn from our sin to a Holy God. This doesn’t imply that we will be sinless, but that our desire will be in pleasing our Savior and not in the carnal enjoyment of the “pleasures of sin for a season.”

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3


Our Receiving Christ – Knowing about Jesus is not good enough. The Bible requires that we are born again by the Holy Spirit by repenting and receiving Christ into our hearts by faith. Trusting Jesus as personal Savior is much deeper than repeating a prayer or having a spiritual experience.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12


Our Regeneration – Being born again provides a whole new and eternal life in Christ. This is not to be confused with the reformation of our existing life, but a life changing event that commences the very moment that we believe.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17


Our Assurance – God wants us to know that we belong to Him forever. He does not want us to wonder or worry. We must know our eternal destiny here in this life before we die and it is too late.

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I John 5:11-13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13

Grace

The Bible clearly tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ came "full of grace & truth." It would benefit us as Christians to try and become more like our Savior each day. Some believers are full of truth but lack grace. Others are big on grace and void of the truth of God's word. It is evident that we need both!

John 1:14-17
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus.

Salvation is also obtained by grace. Grace is receiving from God something that we don't deserve or God's unmerited favor. We are sinners and deserve to spend eternity in hell. But because of God's love in sending His Son Jesus to die in our place, we are saved by His grace when we repent and place our faith in the precious shed blood of our Savior's cross.

Acts 15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.

Ephesians 2:8&9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

There are six areas in our lives that are performed by God's grace upon us.

Clothed - The Bible states that our Lord Jesus, even as a young child was "clothed with grace."

Luke 2:40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

I believe that the same grace covers or clothes each one of God's children who have been saved by grace. Grace is something that we put on each day and wear all the day through. It is possible to stand for the truth in a way that conveys God's grace to the unbelievers. It is this very grace coupled with truth that the Holy Ghost will use as a strong testimony for the Gospel in the lives of our loved ones, friends, neighbors and work mates. Remember always that you are clothed in grace.

Content - The apostle Paul gave a litany of sufferings that he experienced while serving God with all his being for many years in II Corinthians, chapter 11. He then tells of a miraculous spiritual experience that left him with a taste of heaven which God used to motivate him in his selfless Christian service. He claims that he learned to be content, no matter what the circumstance. It was the grace of God that provided him with that contentment as he went from city to city preaching the riches of Christ's Gospel. No matter what we are facing, God is still in control. He will do the same for us today as He did for the apostle Paul. The Lord often reveals His grace to us by revealing someone else's plight which is far worse than ours at the very moment we are about to be overtaken in self pity. His grace is sufficient!

II Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Commissioned - We see in this passage how the early church saints spread the Gospel in the mighty working power of the Holy Ghost with great grace enveloping each one. Want more Holy Spirit Power? Do you want to have a more powerful testimony and witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? Then pray for more grace.

Acts 4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Called - Are you a preacher, missionary, Sunday School teacher? Whatever your calling and service for the master be sure that it was all of His grace. It is truly a privilege to serve Him in whatever capacity He desires for us. We don't choose, He calls. We do not serve in our power but he empowers us with His precious gifts to enable us to be used of Him and give all the Glory to His precious name.

Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace.

II Timothy 1:8&9
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began

Courageous - I give the same advice to every young preacherboy preparing for the ministry. I tell them plainly, "Grow a hide, everything that you say can and will be used against you." As Christians we all need a strong backside. When provoked by someone energized by the devil to destroy our testimony or ruin a relationship, we need to respond in the Spirit and not react in the flesh. The strength to do this comes purely from grace. We ought to defend Christ, not ourselves. It's not about us, but about Him and his bloodstained cross.

II Timothy 2:1-6
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Continuous - This is the best part of all. His grace is never exhausted! It continues forever. It is always with us and will never leave us.

Ephesians 2:5-7
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Got Grace?

For You!

II Corinthians 12:14&15
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

Seek You - Paul told the problem plagued church members at Corinth that he was yearning for them. Not for what they had, or who they were; neither how they were able to benifit the church, but, he sought their very soul & spirit! He wanted them to give themselves wholly to the Lord. The Lord wants our hearts, that is to say, "all of us." The minister seeks his people out of a deep love for each of them that he might assist them in being spiritual and have their own personal relationship with the Savior according to the Spirit of God and in compliance with the Word of God. The preacher seeks them that they might seek Him, that is the Lord.

According to II Corinthians 8:1-5, This mission was a success as the people were wholly given and submitted to God and his perfect will. "Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."

According to the Apostle's own testimony, Paul gave himself first to the Lord in every aspect of life holding back nothing.

Philippians 3:7-9
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Paul said, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for you." This is the love that every preacher must show his people. I am glad that when I was a young Christian that my Pastor showed a personal love and interest in my spiritual well being and helped me whenever I needed Him.

The Preacher seeks his people so that they might grow to serve and worship as Christians who please the Lord as they spend their days waiting for the Savior and ministering in and through the local church. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." I Thes. 5:23.

Spent for You - Just as our Lord Jesus gave himself for the sheep, all good ministers of the gospel live to please Jesus and to bless and help the Christians that God has called them to reach with the Gospel and build up in the faith. Paul gave some moving last words to the church leaders of Ephesus in Acts 20:17-24:

"And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

His life did not matter, but their spirituality did. This was the very example that the church leaders witnessed so that they might carry on their leadership with Paul's example. I know many pastors who are spent trying to serve their people! Being a good pastor means giving to the saints and to the Lord in a sacrificial way.

Acts 21:10-13
And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

II Timothy 2:8-12
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.

Love You - Love is the glue that holds us together with Christ. We must remember that our love is always in the Holy Ghost and can never be contrary to the Scripture. Love is not enabling our people to sin. Here are 5 things that we should know about love in order to effectivly minister:

1. Love is Commanded - John 15:9-12 "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

The command is not simply to love, but to love with the same quality that our Savior loved us. This command came from Jesus and should be stressed and followed just as seriously as the command to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel."

2. Love should be Confirmed - John 13:34&35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Our love for eachother should be confirmed by the unsaved. We should be concerned about the testimony of our church. Each one of us contribute to that testimony when we are out in the world. Is our church a place that they would feel welcome or is it just like the worlplace and like other social circles that are degraded by clicks, contention and division.

3. Love should Continue - I Thes. 3:12 "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you."

Notice that our love for one another should not only continue, but should also increase! We ought to love who Jesus loves and He loves every one of his saints. I realize that all of us may be hard to love at times, but we must make that effort to maintain a sweet spirit in our church.

4. Love should be Complete - I Peter 1:22 "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."

We should love eachother fervently and completely. We may not always get along or agree. We may irritate eachother from time to time. But it is always important to love for "love covers a multitude of sins."

5. Love is Courageous - I John 3:16 "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

True love is giving yourself for another like Christ did for us. We need to look around our church and ask ourself if we would be willing to give ourselves for the others sitting there. And if the answer is no, then we must ask our Savior to give us of His courageous love.

Paul said that the more he loved them, the less they seemed to love him. It is not easy being the preacher because you must always love the Lord enough to stand by His Word and not just tell people what they want to hear. You must love your people enough to tell them what's right eventhough it may be hard for them to swallow the truth. The devil attacks the church in two ways, from without and from within. The devil's favorite game is to turn the people against the preacher. If you are not walking with God you may find yourself mixed up in the devil's snare. Preachers need to love their people so that they know that they are being cared for and prayed for and loved.